Solano County - Well & On-site Sewage Disposal Program

Well & On-site Sewage Disposal Program



The Well & Septic System Program:
Sewage disposal and a safe, plentiful drinking water supply are often taken for granted. Yet the presence of contamination in drinking water, an insufficient water supply, or improperly disposed sewage can have a significant impact upon our health and quality of life. The well and septic system program goals are to protect surface and groundwater from contamination so that a safe, plentiful supply of drinking water can be obtained and maintained; and to assure that sewage can be, and is, disposed of in such a manner so as not to create a public health hazard, or pollute the environment.

Wells and On-Site Sewage Disposal Program
The Environmental Health Division conducts or oversees evaluations of the site and soil to determine the best design for the septic system to assure proper disposal of sewage. Site evaluations, plan reviews, permit issuance, and construction and destruction inspections are also conducted for on-site sewage disposal systems and wells pursuant to the California Well Standards and Solano County Code Chapter 13.10 and 6.4.

Information available at the County Division of Environmental Health on the construction and maintenance of wells and septic systems:

Wells
Water Well Disinfection Procedures Water Sample Collection Procedure Well Standards (Solano County Code CH. 13.10) Well Destruction Guidelines Well & Septic System Applications Yield Test Wells FAQ General Testing Labs (web site) Guide to Private Drinking Water Wells 2010-11 fee schedule effective July 1, 2010

Sewage Disposal
Guidelines for the Design, Construction, and Installation of On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems On-Site Sewage Disposal Standards (Solano County Code CH.6.4) Homeowners Septic Guide Site Evaluation Requirements On-Site Sewage Disposal System Operation and Maintenance 2010-11 fee schedule effective July 1, 2010 Liquid Waste FAQ Site Evaluation Application AB 885- The proposed policy and public meeting schedule regarding onsite wastewater treatment systems was released by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on September 30, 2011. This proposed policy was drafted to comply with the requirements enacted with AB 885, which directed the SWRCB to develop statewide standards. It is anticipated that Solano County Code, Chapter 6.4 can serve as the basis for a Tier 2 Local Management Plan as described in the proposed policy.

Professional Resources
Wells and on-site sewage disposal systems may be installed, repaired, or modified by a properly licensed contractor. Homeowners may also install their own sewage disposal systems provided they are familiar with pertinent County regulations. The following lists of licensed contractors are available at the Division of Environmental Health:
Water System Contractors Licensed Septic Contractors Registered Consultants Septic Pumpers

Alternative Systems
Alternative sewage disposal systems are specifically designed to accommodate sites with limiting conditions that preclude the installation of standard disposal fields. These systems require design by a properly licensed engineer, Certified Engineering Geologist, or Registered Environmental Health Specialist. A list of licensed professionals with experience in designing alternative systems is available at Registered Consultants. Properly licensed professionals may also be found by consulting the yellow pages.